Spark amplifier for use in the ignition systems of internal combustion engines



Jan. 3, 1933. M. G. HIBBS ,893,204 SPARK AMPLIFIER FOR USE IN THE IGNITION SYSTEMS l OF INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES FileduJune 20, 1932 @lfgl 4:54

Patented Jan. 3, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT oFl-lcE HARK G. HIBBS, OF ROSS TOWNSHIP, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA BIP-*ABK AMPLIFIER FOB USE IN THE GNITION SYSTEMS F INTERNAL DUSTION ENGINES Application lled June 20,

The object which I have in view is the improvement of the eiciency of the spark plugs which are employed to ignite the fuel charges in the engine cylinders, by building up the voltage of the current delivered by the secondary circuit of the ignition system through the distributor to the spark plug.

For the accomplishment of this object I interpose my improved amplifier in the lead conductor connecting the distributor to the induction coil, and thus obtain a spark able to jum a wider gap and therefore more intense, t us greatly improving the ignition of the fuel char es.

The desira ility of such improvement is well recognized in the automotive art, and my im roved amplifier fully satisfies the requlrements by producing more power and mileage from a given quantity of fuel and also providing for -quick starting and rapid power development.

In the accompanying drawing, wherein I have illustrated a practical embodiment of the principles of my invention, Fig. 1 is an enlarged view in longitudinal section showing one form of my am lier.

Fig. 2 is a plan view o one of the annular dielectric or insulating disks used therein.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of one of the annular electrodes used therein.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a modiiied structure.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of one of the dielectric disks used therein.

Fig. 6 is a like view of one of the annular electrodes.

Fig. 7 is a like view of one of the dielectric guard rings used therein.

Fig. 8 is an elevation showing my ampliefier inter osed between the secondary lead and the istributor of an ignition system.

Referring first to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing, 1 represents a cylindrical sleeve formed of fibre, hard rubber or other suitable insulating material. The sleeve is internally threaded from one end, the thread ending to form an internal shoulder 2 adjacent the other end of the sleeve.

3 represents a plug of conductive metal, such as brass, of proper diameter and exter- 1932. Serial No. 818,398.

nally threaded to screw down into the sleeve 1 until it abuts against the shoulder 2.

The plug 3V is cup-shaped, its cavity 4 facing the entrance end of the sleeve.

5 represents a second plug also of conductive metal and externally threaded so as to be screwed into the entrance end of the sleeve.

6 represents a plurality of annular dials which form the electrodes. Such disks are formed of polished steel and the material may conveniently be chrome or stainless steel.

The disks are of proper external diameter to loosely lit the bore of the sleeve 1.

7 represents annular disks of dielectric material, such as mica, said disks having substantially the same size of bore or central opening as have the electrodes 6 but having a less external diameter.

The electrodes 6 and the dielectric disks 7 are disposed in alternate arrangement in the sleeve 1 between the plugs 3 and 5, the electrodes being positioned against the inner ends of the plugs, and the plug 5 being screwed in until the parts are tightly clamped together and in proper position.

The plug 5 is provided with an axial socket 8- opening outwardly to receive the end of the conductor 9 which is connected to the secondary of the usual inductive coil. The socket extends deeply into the plug leaving but a relatively thm floor.

10 represents a screw of brass or other conductive material which is screwed outwardly through a threaded hole inthe center of the plug 3. The screw is permanently xed relative to the plug, as by solder, as illustrated at 11.

12 represents an expansion nut comprising a sleeve having its outer end closed. The sleeve has a differential bore, the'larger bore loosely surrounding the screw 10 while the smaller bore which is adjacent the closed end of the nut is threaded to receive the screw. The nut is split radially from its closed end as illustrated at 13 so that it will expand as it is tightened up on the screw.

The nut 12 is inserted in the usual socket 14 in the center of the distributor 15 and then expanded.

The referred installation of the amplifier is c early shown in Fig. 8.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive, the disk electrodes 6a are of less external diameter than the dielectric disks 7a, and when the disks are assembled the dielectric rings 7 Z2 surround the disks 6a, and thus arcing or current travel between the outer perimetral edges of adjacent electrodes is prevented and the break down or arcing between the electrodes is confined to the inner circular edges of the latter.

It will be noted that the amplifier is provided with a continuous open passage between the plugs and formed by the central openings of the electrodes and dielectric disks.

-Thus the spark discharge will jump from electrode to electrode without hindrance such as would occur were the passage more or less obstructed by dielectric or insulating material. Thus, for instance, were the annular disks strung or supported on an insulating member, there would be a tendency for the spark to carbonize the surface of the insulator and thereby establishing a low Iresistance path between the electrodes which would thusnegative the function of the device.

Again, the interior spaces of the amplifier are practically air-tight and thus ionization of the trapped Gas will occur which will lower the resistance 'for the discharge.

Moreover the provision of the internal free space provides for cooling the electrodes after or between spark discharges by absorbing the radiant heat energy from the electrodes and distributing it to the cooler portions of the chamber, and thence the heat is carried 'away by conduction through the plugs to atmosphere.

The cup of the lower plug greatly enlarges this chamber and thus enhances this cooling action.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 4

'to 7, inclusive, the total spark discharge occurs between the inner annular surfaces of the electrodes as the path is blocked adjacent the wall of the sleeve by the interposition of dielectric materiali, Thus no carbonization can occur between the electrodes at their outer perimetral surfaces.

The insertion of the end of the lead ,conductor, which is ordinarily provided lith the usual brass terminal, deeply into/thi,V plug 5 provides a means for conductlng the heat energy from the plug and thus aids in cooling the amplifier.

The mounting of the amplifier directly on the distributor by means of the expansion nut provides the convenient installation of my amplifier in the ignition system of any standard internal combustion engine without requiring any alteration thereof. The end of the lead conductor is simply unstepped from the distributor and inserted in the socket 8 of the amplifier and the amplifier is mounted in place by the insertion of the expansion nut in the socket 14 of the distributor and its expansion to tighten it in place.

My device is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and thus may be sold at low cost.- It is durable and comprises no parts likely to become foul or broken.

I claim l '4 l. In a spark-amplifier for internal combustion englnes, the combination of la cylindrical sleeve formed of insulating material and internally threaded, a pair of connector plugs formed of conductive material and screwed into said sleeve, and a plurality of annular electrodes and of annular dielectrics arranged in alternate relation in said sleeve and between the inner ends of said plugs, said electrodes and dielectrics being fixed in proper relation by screwing up one of said plugs, whereby the central openings of said electrodes and dielectrics form a continuous inclosed chamber extending between said plugs.

2. In a spark-amplifier for internal combustion engines, the combination of a cylin# drical sleeve formed of insulating material and -internally threaded, apair of connector plugs formed of conductive material and screwed into said sleeve, and a plurality of annular electrodes and of annular dielectrics arranged in alternate relation in said sleeve and between the inner ends of said plugs, an electrode being in surface contact with the inner end of each of said plugs, said electrodes and dielectrics being fixed in proper relation by screwing up one of said plugs, whereby the central openings of said electrodes and dielectrics form a continuous inclosed chamber extending between said plugs.

3. In a spark-amplifier for internal combustion engines, the combination of a cylindrical sleeve formed of insulating material and internally threaded, a pair of connector plugs formed of conductive material and screwed into said sleeve, one of said plugs being cup-shaped with its cavity at its inner end, and a plurality of annular electrodes and of annular dielectrics arranged in alternate relation in said sleeve and between the inner ends of said plugs, said electrodes and dielectrics being fixed in proper relation by screwing up one of said plugs, whereby the central openings of said electrodes and dielectrics and the cavity of said plug form a continuous inclosed'chamber within said sleeve.

4. In a spark-amplifier for internal combustion engines, the combination of a cylindrical sleeve formed of insulating material and internally threaded, a pair of connector plugs formed of conductive material and screwed into said sleeve, a plurality of annular electrodes and of annular dielectrics arranged in alternate relation in said sleeve and between the inner ends of said plugs, said electrodes and dielectrics being fixed in prop- Vcs er relation by screwing up one of said plugs, whereby the central openings of said electrodes and dielectrics forma continuous inclosed chamber extending between said plu and means for preventing arcing between t e electrodes adjacent the wall of the sleeve.

5. In 'a spark-amplifier for internal combustion engines, the combination of a cylindrical sleeve formed of insulating material and internally threaded, a pair of connector plugs formed of conductive material and screwed into said sleeve, a plurality of annular electrodes and annular dielectrics arranged in alternate relation and held in place between the inner ends of the plugs, the central openings of said electrodes and dielectrics forming a continuous inclosed chamber between the plugs, and a socket formed in one of said plugs to receive the end of a lead conductor.

6. In a spark-amplifier for internal combustion engines, the combination of a cylin drical sleeve formed of insulating material and internally threaded, a pair of connector plugs `formed of conductive material and screwed into said sleeve, a plurality of 'annular electrodes and annular dielectrics arranged in alternate relation and held in place between the inner ends of the plugs, the central openings of said electrodes and dielectrics forming a continuous inclosed chamber between the plugs, and a socket formed in one of said plugs to receive the end of a lead conductor, the floor of said socket being relatively thin to facilitate the conduction of heat from the amplifier. l

7. In a spark-amplier for internal combustion engines, the combination of a cylindrical sleeve formed of insulating material and internally threaded, a pair of connector plugs formed of conductive material and screwed into said sleeve, a plurality of annular electrodes and annular dielectrics arranged in alternate relation and held in place between the inner ends of the plugs, the central openings of said VAelectrodes and dielectrics 'forming a continuous inclosed chamber between the plugs, a screw extending utwardly from one of said plugs and an expansion nut mounted on said screw and; adapted to be inserted in the socket connection of a distributor and the like.

8. In a spark-amplifier for internal combustion engines, the combination of a cylindrical sleeve formed of insulating material and internally threaded, a pair of connector plugs formed of conductive material and screwed into said sleeve, and a plurality of annular electrodes and annular dielectrics arranged in alternate relation and held dielectrics whereby to facilitate spark-dischar e between the inner annular surfaces of the e ectrodes.

9. In a spark-amplifier for internal oo mbustion engines, the combination of a cylindrical sleeve formed of insulating material and internally threaded, a pair of connector plugs formed of conductive material and screwed into said sleeve, a plurality of annular electrodes and annular dielectrics arranged in alternate relation and held in place between the inner ends of the plugs, the central openings of the electrodes and dielectrics forming a continuous inclosed chamber between the plugs, the internal diameters of the electrodes belng less than those of the dielectrics w'hereby to facilitate spark-discharge between the inner annular surfaces of the electrodes, and means for preventlng spark-discharge between the outer annular surfaces of the electrodes.

Signed at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this 16th day of June, 1932.

l MARK G. HIBBS.

in place between the inner ends of the plugs,

the central openings of the electrodes and dielectrics forming a continuous inclosed chamber between the plu the internal diameters of the electrodes being less than those of the 

